Pursuing the Past

Gossips' search to discover what once stood on the vacant lot that is to be the site of the "reassembled" 900 Columbia Street began on Wednesday with the Beers Atlas maps in the History Room at the Hudson Area Library. It continued yesterday with the remarkable collection of historic New York State newspapers archived at FultonHistory.com.

The atlas maps for 1873 and 1888 show a house facing Union Street and a second building at the back of the lot, facing Partition Street. Both belonged to Thomas Tilley, partner in the clothing store Tilley & Aldcrofft.

In the summer of 1917, the property was for sale, and this ad, which appeared in Hudson Register for August 17, provides some details about the house.

According to census records, by 1900, Thomas Tilley no longer lived at 217 Union Street. In 1900, Tilley, who was then 76, lived at 541 Union Street, with his wife, Hannah, their daughter and son-in-law, Mary and George W. Harris, their son Carleton, a boarder named Sylvia McCord, and a servant named Florence White. 

It seems, however, from the evidence at hand, that up until it was offered for sale in 1917, 217 Union Street was still owned by Tilley or his heirs. In March 1916, the house was offered to let, and interested parties were asked to "inquire at Tilley & Aldcrofft's Store."

References to 217 Union Street appeared in the Hudson Register fairly often, most often in the classified ad section when various parts of the house were rented out. In August 1910, an ad appeared that read: "TO RENT--Furnished front room, with use of bath for gentleman 217 Union street." The following notice appeared in December 1915 and a similar one in March 1917: "Two rooms, heated and lighted, bath adjoining, suitable for light housekeeping or rooming. Inquire 217 Union street."

But 217 Union Street is mentioned in the newspaper in other contexts as well. On October 19, 1902, it was reported that "Mrs. Edwin Kelly, of 217 Union street, fell off her front porch and broke her wrist." On February 11, 1914, the death notice for Sally Ann Proper appeared in the Hudson Register, with this information: "Funeral from the residence of her son-in-law, John Klemmer, 217 Union street, on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock." On October 20, 1916, the Hudson Register published this account of a reception for a new bride that took place at 217 Union Street.

In the 1940s, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Coons lived at 217 Union Street. From the Hudson Evening Register we learn that they had a son, Charles William, who was born on February 6, 1940, at 217 Union Street, and a daughter, born in February 1944 at Hudson City Hospital.

In 1940, there was also a mason named Hester who lived at 217 Union Street and advertised his services in the Evening Register.

The newspaper provides evidence that the house was still there in 1965. In July 1965, there was a report that Raymond Smith, 22, of 217 Union Street, had been injured in a car crash. 

The search isn't over. Gossips still wants to find out what happened to 217 Union Street and is curious to know what the house looked like. 
COPYRIGHT 2013 CAROLE OSTERINK